"The Ancient Origins of Horse Racing: A Journey Through Time"

 When did horse racing begin?

Horse racing dates back to ancient times, with evidence of its existence in various forms across different cultures.

1. Ancient Civilizations:
• The earliest recorded history of horse racing can be traced to Babylonia (modern-day Iraq) around 4000 BCE, where chariot racing was a popular sport.
• Ancient Egypt also had a form of horse racing, and Greek and Roman civilizations featured chariot races in their events, especially in the Olympic Games and Roman circuses (stadiums).   mmm
2. Modern Horse Racing:
• The sport as we know it today began to take shape in England during the 17th century. In 1660, King Charles II of England, an avid horse racing enthusiast, helped establish the sport in England by promoting races between Thoroughbred horses.
• The first recorded horse race for Thoroughbred horses was in 1665, and the foundation of organized racing came with the establishment of the Royal Ascot in 1711.
3. The Kentucky Derby:
• In United States, horse racing gained major prominence in 1789 with the establishment of the New York Turf Club. But the most famous and enduring event, The Kentucky Derby, started in 1875 and is still held annually.

Horse racing gradually developed into the highly organized sport we see today, with different races like flat racing, steeplechase, and harness racing becoming key events in the sport.